God be praised! we reached Waging, Stain, Ferbertshaim, and Wasserburg
safely. Now for a brief report of our journey. When we arrived at the
city gates, we were kept waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour till
they could be thrown open for us, as they were under repair. Near Schinn
we met a drove of cows, and one of these very remarkable, for each side
was a different color, which we never before saw. When at last we got to
Schinn, we met a carriage, which stopped, and ecce, our postilion called
out we must change. "I don't care," said I. Mamma and I were parleying,
when a portly gentleman came up, whose physiognomy I at once recognized;
he was a Memmingen merchant. He stared at me for some time, and at last
said, "You surely are Herr Mozart?" "At your service," said I; "I
know you, too, by sight, but not your name. I saw you, a year ago, at
Mirabell's [the palace garden in Salzburg] at a concert." He then told
me his name, which, thank God! I have forgotten; but I retained one of
probably more importance to me. When I saw this gentleman in Salzburg,
he was accompanied by a young man whose brother was now with him, and
who lives in Memmingen. His name is Herr Unhold, and he pressed me very
much to come to Memmingen if possible. We sent a hundred thousand loves
to papa by them, and to my sister, the madcap, which they promised to
deliver without fail. This change of carriages was a great bore to me,
for I wished to send a letter back from Waging by the postilion. We then
(after a slight meal) had the honor of being conveyed as far as Stain,
by the aforesaid post-horses, in an hour and a half. At Waging I was
alone for a few minutes with the clergyman, who looked quite amazed,
knowing nothing of our history. From Stain we were driven by a most
tiresome phlegmatic postilion--N. B., in driving I mean; we thought we
never were to arrive at the next stage. At last we did arrive, as
you may see from my writing this letter. (Mamma is half asleep.) From
Ferbertshaim to Wasserburg all went on well. Viviamo come i principi;
we want nothing except you, dear papa. Well, this is the will of God; no
doubt all will go on right. I hope to hear that papa is as well as I am
and as happy. Nothing comes amiss to me; I am quite a second papa, and
look after everything.[Footnote: The father had been very uneasy at the
idea of allowing the inexperienced youth, whose unsuspicious good-nature
exposed him still more to danger, to travel alone; for the mother also
was not very expert in travelling.] I settled from the first to pay the
postilions, for I can talk to such fellows better than mamma. At the
Stern, in Wasserburg, we are capitally served; I am treated here like
a prince. About half an hour ago (mamma being engaged at the time) the
Boots knocked at the door to take my orders about various things, and
I gave them to him with the same grave air that I have in my portrait.
Mamma is just going to bed. We both beg that papa will be careful of
his health, not go out too early, nor fret, [Footnote: The Father was
strongly disposed to hypochondria.] but laugh and be merry and in good
spirits. We think the Mufti H. C. [the Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo]
a MUFF, but we know God to be compassionate, merciful, and loving. I
kiss papa's hands a thousand times, and embrace my SISTER MADCAP as
often as I have to-day taken snuff. I think I have left my diplomas at
home? [his appointment at court.] I beg you will send them to me soon.
My pen is rude, and I am not refined.
60.
Munich, Sept. 26, 1777.
WE arrived safely in Munich on the afternoon of the 24th, at half-past
four o'clock. A complete novelty to me was being obliged to drive to the
Custom House, escorted by a grenadier with a fixed bayonet. The
first person we knew, who met us when driving, was Signor Consoli; he
recognized me at once, and showed the utmost joy at seeing me again.
Next day he called on us. I cannot attempt to describe the delight of
Herr Albert [the "learned landlord" of the Black Eagle, on the Kaufinger
Gasse, now Hotel Detzer]; he is indeed a truly honest man, and a very
good friend of ours. On my arrival I went to the piano, and did not
leave it till dinner-time. Herr Albert was not at home, but he soon
came in, and we went down to dinner together. There I met M. Sfeer and
a certain secretary, an intimate friend of his; both send their
compliments to you. Though tired by our journey, we did not go to bed
till late; we, however, rose next morning at seven o'clock. My hair was
in such disorder that I could not go to Count Seeau's till half-past
ten o'clock. When I got there I was told that he had driven out to the
chasse. Patience! In the mean time I wished to call on Chorus-master
Bernard, but he had gone to the country with Baron Schmid. I found
Herr von Belvall deeply engaged in business; he sent you a thousand
compliments. Rossi came to dinner, and at two o'clock Consoli, and
at three arrived Becke [a friend of Mozart's and an admirable
flute-player], and also Herr von Belvall. I paid a visit to Frau
von Durst [with whom Nannerl had lived], who now lodges with the
Franciscans. At six o'clock I took a short walk with Herr Becke. There
is a Professor Huber here, whom you may perhaps remember better than I
do; he says that the last time he either saw or heard me was at Vienna,
at Herr von Mesmer's, junior. He is neither tall nor short, pale,
with silvery-gray hair, and his physiognomy rather like that of Herr
Unterbereiter. This gentleman is vice-intendant of the theatre; his
occupation is to read through all the comedies to be acted, to improve
or to spoil, to add to or to put them aside. He comes every evening to
Albert's, and often talks to me. To-day, Friday, the 26th, I called on
Count Seeau at half-past eight o'clock. This was what passed. As I was
going into the house I met Madame Niesser, the actress, just coming out,
who said, "I suppose you wish to see the Count?" "Yes!" "He is still in
his garden, and Heaven knows when he may come!" I asked her where the
garden was. "As I must see him also," said she, "let us go together."
We had scarcely left the house when we saw the Count coming towards us
about twelve paces off; he recognized and instantly named me. He was
very polite, and seemed already to know all that had taken place about
me. We went up the steps together slowly and alone; I told him briefly
the whole affair. He said that I ought at once to request an audience of
his Highness the Elector, but that, if I failed in obtaining it, I
must make a written statement. I entreated him to keep this all quite
private, and he agreed to do so. When I remarked to him that there
really was room for a genuine composer here, he said, "I know that
well." I afterwards went to the Bishop of Chiemsee, and was with him for
half an hour. I told him everything, and he promised to do all he
could for me in the matter. At one o'clock he drove to Nymphenburg, and
declared positively he would speak to the Electress. On Sunday the Count
comes here. Herr Joannes Kronner has been appointed Vice-Concertmeister,
which he owes to a blunt speech of his. He has produced two
symphonies--Deo mene liberi [God preserve me from such]--of his own
composition. The Elector asked him, "Did you really compose these?"
"Yes, your Royal Highness!" "From whom did you learn?" "From a
schoolmaster in Switzerland, where so much importance is attached to
the study of composition. This schoolmaster taught me more than all your
composers here, put together, could teach me." Count Schonborn and his
Countess, a sister of the Archbishop [of Salzburg], passed through here
to-day. I chanced to be at the play at the time. Herr Albert, in the
course of conversation, told them that I was here, and that I had given
up my situation. They were all astonishment, and positively refused to
believe him when he said that my salary, of blessed memory, was only
twelve florins thirty kreuzers! They merely changed horses, and would
gladly have spoken with me, but I was too late to meet them. Now I must
inquire what you are doing, and how you are. Mamma and I hope that you
are quite well. I am still in my very happiest humor; my head feels as
light as a feather since I got away from that chicanery. I have grown
fatter already.
61.
Munich, Sept. 29, 1777.
TRUE enough, a great many kind friends, but unluckily most of them have
little or nothing in their power. I was with Count Seeau yesterday, at
half-past ten o'clock, and found him graver and less natural than the
first time; but it was only in appearance, for to-day I was at Prince
Zeill's [Bishop of Chiemsee--No. 56], who, with all courtesy, said
to me, "I don't think we shall effect much here. During dinner, at
Nymphenburg, I spoke privately to the Elector, who replied: 'It is
too soon at this moment; he must leave this and go to Italy and become
famous. I do not actually reject him, but these are too early days
as yet.'" There it is! Most of these grandees have such paroxysms of
enthusiasm for Italy. Still, he advised me to go to the Elector, and
to place my case before him as I had previously intended. I spoke
confidentially at dinner to-day with Herr Woschitka [violoncellist in
the Munich court orchestra, and a member of the Elector's private band],
and he appointed me to come to-morrow at nine o'clock, when he will
certainly procure me an audience. We are very good friends now. He
insisted on knowing the name of my informant; but I said to him, "Rest
assured that I am your friend and shall continue to be so; I am in turn
equally convinced of your friendship, so you must be satisfied with
this." But to return to my narrative. The Bishop of Chiemsee also spoke
to the Electress when tete-a-tete with her. She shrugged her shoulders,
and said she would do her best, but was very doubtful as to her success.
I now return to Count Seeau, who asked Prince Zeill (after he had told
him everything). "Do you know whether Mozart has not enough from his
family to enable him to remain here with a little assistance? I should
really like to keep him." Prince Zeill answered: "I don't know, but
I doubt it much; all you have to do is to speak to himself on the
subject." This, then, was the cause of Count Seeau being so thoughtful
on the following day. I like being here, and I am of the same opinion
with many of my friends, that if I could only remain here for a year
or two, I might acquire both money and fame by my works, and then more
probably be sought by the court than be obliged to seek it myself. Since
my return here Herr Albert has a project in his head, the fulfilment of
which does not seem to me impossible. It is this: He wishes to form an
association of ten kind friends, each of these to subscribe 1 ducat (50
gulden) monthly, 600 florins a year. If in addition to this I had even
200 florins per annum from Count Seeau, this would make 800 florins
altogether. How does papa like this idea? Is it not friendly? Ought not
I to accept it if they are in earnest? I am perfectly satisfied with
it; for I should be near Salzburg, and if you, dearest papa, were seized
with a fancy to leave Salzburg (which from my heart I wish you were) and
to pass your life in Munich, how easy and pleasant would it be! For if
we are obliged to live in Salzburg with 504 florins, surely we might
live in Munich with 800.
To-day, the 30th, after a conversation with Herr Woschitka, I went to
court by appointment. Every one was in hunting-costume. Baron Kern was
the chamberlain on service. I might have gone there last night, but
I could not offend M. Woschitka, who himself offered to find me an
opportunity of speaking to the Elector. At 10 o'clock he took me into a
narrow little room, through which his Royal Highness was to pass on his
way to hear mass, before going to hunt. Count Seeau went by, and greeted
me very kindly: "How are you, dear Mozart?" When the Elector came up to
me, I said, "Will your Royal Highness permit me to pay my homage and
to offer your Royal Highness my services?" "So you have finally left
Salzburg?" "I have left it forever, your Royal Highness. I only asked
leave to make a journey, and being refused, I was obliged to take this
step, although I have long intended to leave Salzburg, which is no place
for me, I feel sure." "Good heavens! you are quite a young man. But your
father is still in Salzburg?" "Yes, your Royal Highness; he humbly lays
his homage at your feet, &c., &c. I have already been three times in
Italy. I have written three operas, and am a member of the Bologna
Academy; I underwent a trial where several maestri toiled and labored
for four or five hours, whereas I finished my work in one. This is
a sufficient testimony that I have abilities to serve any court. My
greatest wish is to be appointed by your Royal Highness, who is himself
such a great &c., &c." "But, my good young friend, I regret that there
is not a single vacancy. If there were only a vacancy!" "I can assure
your Royal Highness that I would do credit to Munich." "Yes, but what
does that avail when there is no vacancy?" This he said as he was moving
on; so I bowed and took leave of his Royal Highness. Herr Woschitka
advises me to place myself often in the way of the Elector. This
afternoon I went to Count Salern's. His daughter is a maid of honor, and
was one of the hunting-party. Ravani and I were in the street when the
whole procession passed. The Elector and the Electress noticed me very
kindly. Young Countess Salern recognized me at once, and waved her
hand to me repeatedly. Baron Rumling, whom I had previously seen in the
antechamber, never was so courteous to me as on this occasion. I will
soon write to you what passed with Salern. He was very kind, polite, and
straightforward.--P. S. Ma tres-chere soeur, next time I mean to write
you a letter all for yourself. My remembrances to B. C. M. R. and
various other letters of the alphabet. Adieu! A man built a house here
and inscribed on it: "Building is beyond all doubt an immense pleasure,
but I little thought that it would cost so much treasure." During the
night some one wrote underneath, "You ought first to have counted the
cost."
62.
Munich, Oct. 2, 1777.
YESTERDAY, October 1st, I was again at Count Salern's, and to-day I even
dined with him. I have played a great deal during the last three days,
and with right good will too. Papa must not, however, imagine that I
like to be at Count Salern's on account of the young lady; by no means,
for she is unhappily in waiting, and therefore never at home, but I am
to see her at court to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, in company with
Madame Hepp, formerly Madlle. Tosson. On Saturday the court leaves this,
and does not return till the 20th. To-morrow I am to dine with Madame
and Madlle. de Branca, the latter being a kind of half pupil of mine,
for Sigl seldom comes, and Becke, who usually accompanies her on the
flute, is not here. On the three days that I was at Count Salern's I
played a great many things extempore--two Cassations [Divertimentos]
for the Countess, and the finale and Rondo, and the latter by heart.
You cannot imagine the delight this causes Count Salern. He understands
music, for he was constantly saying Bravo! while other gentlemen were
taking snuff, humming and hawing, and clearing their throats, or holding
forth. I said to him, "How I do wish the Elector were only here, that he
might hear me play! He knows nothing of me--he does not know what I can
do. How sad it is that these great gentlemen should believe what any one
tells them, and do not choose to judge for themselves! BUT IT IS ALWAYS
SO. Let him put me to the test. He may assemble all the composers in
Munich, and also send in quest of some from Italy and France, Germany,
and England and Spain, and I will undertake to write against them all."
I related to him all that had occurred to me in Italy, and begged him,
if the conversation turned on me, to bring in these things. He said, "I
have very little influence, but the little that is in my power I will
do with pleasure." He is also decidedly of opinion that if I could only
remain here, the affair would come right of itself. It would not be
impossible for me to contrive to live, were I alone here, for I should
get at least 300 florins from Count Seeau. My board would cost little,
for I should be often invited out; and even were it not so, Albert would
always be charmed to see me at dinner in his house. I eat little, drink
water, and for dessert take only a little fruit and a small glass
of wine. Subject to the advice of my kind friends, I would make the
following contract with Count Seeau:--I would engage to produce every
year four German operas, partly buffe and partly serie; from each of
these I should claim the profits of one performance, for such is the
custom here. This alone would bring me in 500 florins, which along with
my salary would make up 800 florins, but in all probability more; for
Reiner, an actor and singer, cleared 200 florins by his benefit, and
I am VERY MUCH BELOVED HERE, and how much more so should I be if I
contributed to the elevation of the national theatre of Germany in
music! And this would certainly be the case with me, for I was inspired
with the most eager desire to write when I heard the German operettas.
The name of the first singer here is Keiserin; her father is cook to a
count here; she is a very pleasing girl, and pretty on the stage; I have
not yet seen her near. She is a native of this place. When I heard her
it was only her third appearance on the stage. She has a fine voice, not
powerful, though by no means weak, very pure, and a good intonation.
Her instructor is Valesi; and her style of singing shows that her master
knows how to sing as well as how to teach. When she sustains her
voice for a couple of bars, I am quite surprised at the beauty of her
crescendo and decrescendo. She as yet takes her shakes slowly, and this
I highly approve of, for it will be all the more pure and clear if she
ever wishes to take it quicker; besides, it is easier when quick. She is
a great favorite with the people here, and with me.
Mamma was in the pit; she went as early as half-past four o'clock to get
a place. I, however, did not go till half-past six o'clock, for I can go
to any box I please, being pretty well known. I was in the Brancas' box;
I looked at Keiserin with my opera-glass, and at times she drew tears
from my eyes. I often called out bravo, bravissimo, for I always
remembered that it was only her third appearance. The piece was Das
Fischermadchen, a very good translation of Piccini's opera, with his
music. As yet they have no original pieces, but are now anxious soon
to give a German opera seria, and a strong wish prevails that I should
compose it. The aforesaid Professor Huber is one of those who wish
this. I shall now go to bed, for I can sit up no longer. It is just ten
o'clock. Baron Rumling lately paid me the following compliment: "The
theatre is my delight--good actors and actresses, good singers, and a
clever composer, such as yourself." This is indeed only talk, and words
are not of much value, but he never before spoke to me in this way.
I write this on the 3d of October. To-morrow the court departs, and does
not return till the 20th. If it had remained here, I would have taken
the step I intended, and stayed on here for a time; but as it is, I hope
to resume my journey with mamma next Tuesday. But meanwhile the project
of the associated friends, which I lately wrote to you about, may be
realized, so that when we no longer care to travel we shall have a
resource to fall back upon. Herr von Krimmel was to-day with the Bishop
of Chiemsee, with whom he has a good deal to do on the subject of salt.
He is a strange man; here he is called "your Grace,"--that is, THE
LACKEYS do so. Having a great desire that I should remain here, he spoke
very zealously to the Prince in my favor. He said to me, "Only let me
alone; I will speak to the Prince, and I have a right to do so, for I
have done many things to oblige him." The Prince promised him that I
should POSITIVELY be appointed, but the affair cannot be so quickly
settled. On the return of the court he is to speak to the Elector with
all possible earnestness and zeal. At eight o'clock this morning I
called on Count Seeau. I was very brief, and merely said, "I have only
come, your Excellency, to explain my case clearly. I have been told that
I ought to go to Italy, which is casting a reproach on me. I was sixteen
months in Italy, I have written three operas, and all this is notorious
enough. What further occurred, your Excellency will see from these
papers." And after showing him the diplomata, I added, "I only show
these and say this to your Excellency that, in the event of my being
spoken of, and any injustice done me, your Excellency may with good
grounds take my part." He asked me if I was now going to France. I said
I intended to remain in Germany; by this, however, he supposed I meant
Munich, and said, with a merry laugh, "So you are to stay here after
all?" I replied, "No! to tell you the truth, I should like to have
stayed, if the Elector had favored me with a small sum, so that I might
then have offered my compositions to your Excellency devoid of all
interested motives. It would have been a pleasure to me to do this." At
these words he half lifted his skull-cap.
At ten o'clock I went to court to call on Countess Salern. I dined
afterwards with the Brancas. Herr Geheimrath von Branca, having been
invited by the French Ambassador, was not at home. He is called "your
Excellency." Countess Salern is a Frenchwoman, and scarcely knows a word
of German; so I have always been in the habit of talking French to her.
I do so quite boldly, and she says that I don't speak at all badly,
and that I have the good habit of speaking slowly, which makes me more
easily understood. She is a most excellent person, and very well-bred.
The daughter plays nicely, but fails in time. I thought this arose from
want of ear on her part, but I find I can blame no one but her teacher,
who is too indulgent and too easily satisfied. I practised with her
to-day, and I could pledge myself that if she were to learn from me for
a couple of months, she would play both well and accurately.
At four o'clock I went to Frau von Tosson's, where I found mamma and
also Frau von Hepp. I played there till eight o'clock, and after that
we went home; and at half-past nine a small band of music arrived,
consisting of five persons--two clarionet-players, two horns, and one
bassoon. Herr Albert (whose name-day is to-morrow) arranged this music
in honor of me and himself. They played rather well together, and were
the same people whom we hear during dinner at Albert's, but it is well
known that they are trained by Fiala. They played some of his pieces,
and I must say they are very pretty: he has some excellent ideas.
To-morrow we are to have a small musical party together, where I am
to play. (Nota bene, on that miserable piano! oh, dear! oh, dear! oh,
dear!) I beg you will excuse my horrid writing, but ink, haste, sleep,
and dreams are all against me. I am now and forever amen, your dutiful
son,